Milan Tram Derailment Kills Two and Injures Up to 40 After Crash Into Building
At least two people have died and as many as 40 others were injured after a tram derailed and slammed into a building in northern Italy’s financial capital of Milan, BBC reports.
The packed tram was travelling on line 9 along Viale Vittorio Veneto at around 4 p.m. local time when it left the tracks and struck the side of a building.
Authorities said one of the victims, a 60-year-old man, was likely a pedestrian hit by the tram. The second fatality and most of the injured were believed to be passengers.
Passengers recount chaotic moments
Emergency crews rushed to the scene as reports emerged of people trapped in the wreckage. Witnesses said the tram suddenly veered off the tracks after passengers heard a loud noise beneath the vehicle.
«I thought it was an earthquake. I was sitting down and I fell on the floor, along with the other passengers,» one man told Ansa news agency. «It was terrible.»
Before crashing into the building, the tram reportedly struck a traffic light and smashed the window of a nearby restaurant. A delivery rider waiting at the light and a pedestrian narrowly avoided being hit.
«I got on at the first stop, Piazza della Repubblica,» one passenger told Corriere della Sera. «I was standing next to the driver, and they all crashed into me.»
Nearby office worker Anna, 27, said she heard a loud explosion. «I just heard an enormous bang. I saw a bit of the tram had gone into a shop,» she said.
Civil protection teams set up a temporary medical tent to treat the injured.
Investigation into cause under way
Officials have not yet determined what caused the derailment. Initial reports suggested the tram may have taken a sharp turn too quickly as it exited Viale Vittorio Veneto.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her «deepest condolences» to the victims’ families.
Giuseppe Sala described the incident as a «tragedy» and said an investigation was under way. He noted the driver was experienced and had been on duty for only an hour, adding that authorities were also examining whether the driver may have suddenly fallen ill.
Milan’s public transport operator Azienda Trasporti Milanesi said it was «deeply shaken» by the crash and expressed sympathy for those affected.
Incident during busy week for the city
The accident occurred while the city hosts major international visitors and events, including Milan Fashion Week. The city recently hosted the Winter Olympics and is preparing for the Paralympic Games.
According to Corriere della Sera, the three-car tram involved was a new bidirectional model introduced to the city only weeks ago.
